Obama's Weekly Address: Sandy Hook Victim’s Mother Calls for Commonsense Gun Responsibility Reforms

This week’s address is delivered by Francine Wheeler, whose six year old son, Ben, was murdered alongside nineteen other children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, four months ago. Now, Francine – joined by her husband David – is asking the American people to help prevent this type of tragedy from happening to more families like hers. Since that terrible day in December, thousands more Americans have died, and thousands more families have suffered the pain of losing a loved one to violence.



Now that the Senate has agreed that commonsense gun safety reforms deserve a vote, they must finish the job and pass those reforms to protect our children and our communities. Now is the time for all Americans to help make this a moment of real change.

Now They're Killing 6-Month Old Babies in Chicago ... RIP Jonylah Watkins

Chicago used to be known for being the home of our current First Family as well as its professional sports, Miracle Mile shopping and windy weather. No more. Chicago is now known as the place to go if you want to get shot.

Gun violence seems to carry a Chicago byline more often than not. This week we learn that 6-month old Jonylah Watkins was shot multiple times ... and died as a result of those gunshot wounds. I hope that our politicians in Washington DC take a moment to think about Jonylah as they look at various gun reform proposals.

Some cowardly fool woke up this week ... put a gun in his pocket ... and ended his day by taking the life of a young angel named Jonylah. Jonylah’s father, Jonathan Watkins, had been changing her diaper in the front passenger seat of a Chevy mini-van when a gunman approached the vehicle and starting shooting. The cowardly killer then fled in a waiting car.

Jonylah's mother, Judy Watkins, visited the Cook County medical examiner’s office yesterday to identify the body of her six-month-old daughter. Jonathan is currently at a local hospital recovering from several gunshot wounds he endured during the incident as well.

Facing the hard truth about her baby’s death, Judy Watkins cried silently Wednesday night as she identified the body of her daughter. She viewed the body through a closed circuit television feed at the Cook County medical examiner’s office, according to Rev. Corey Brooks, who is the Watkins family spokesman.

“She stood there for about 30 seconds or a minute,” he said. “But I could tell she would have stayed there all day. I told them that was enough.”

A police source said Watkins may have been the victim of retaliation for alleged links to an earlier robbery and shooting.

Wordless Wednesday: Skittles, Hoodies and Death

Am I Not Human? Afraid and Forgotten in Côte d’Ivoire

Soulclap to Human Rights Watch for providing a comprehensive report on the human rights abuses taking place in western Côte d’Ivoire.

Well-armed criminal gangs in western Côte d’Ivoire subject local residents to a relentless stream of abuses, including assault, robbery, and sexual violence.

The recommendations in the report fall mainly to the Ivorian authorities, who have failed to prevent or respond to the violence. These leaders should undertake patrols in hard-hit areas, investigate and prosecute crimes, and punish members of security forces who have failed to protect the population. My hope is the current Ivorian presidential elections may provide an opportunity for hope and change that impacts on the people.





Like many villagers, I have never been to the continent of Africa or the country of Côte d’Ivoire. However, I do own this blog ... and I can use this blog at least once a month to raise awareness of human rights abuses taking place around the world, including Côte d’Ivoire. My hope is that the power of public opinion will weigh down on the Côte d’Ivoire government, the United Nations and anyone else that can make a difference for the victims of this abuse. These victims are surely asking the universal question, "Am I Not Human?"

Roots of Humanity feels that each of us can fight against human rights abuses in the world. We simply need to do something. Protest. Meditate. Pray. In the case of bloggers ... we want you to blog on the 27th of each month. Just share information on behalf of our human siblings in all suffering areas who are either barred from communication by their governments, or lacking in technology to ask: Am I Not Human?

Can We Stop GOP-Inspired Tea Party Violence Before April 19th Second Amendment March?

I see that Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele turned down request from his Democratic Party counterpart, Tim Kaine, to issue a joint statement against the recent violent acts against lawmakers who voted in favor of health care reform. It is another indication that the GOP is intentionally stoking the base emotions of the Tea Party folks.

Here are examples of what the GOP leadership is saying:

Rep. Michele Bachmann: "I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous ... having a revolution every now and then is a good thing."

Rep. John Boehner: "Take [Democratic Congressman] Steve Driehaus, for example. He may be a dead man. He can't go home to the west side of Cincinnati."

Rep. Steve King: "Let's beat that other side to a pulp! Let's take them out. Let's chase them down."

It is time for us to end the right-wing violence brought to us by the GOP.



I think that we need to squash this nonsense right away. It could be dangerous if it goes on through April 19th.

Villagers will recall that April 19, 1993 was the end of the 51-day siege of the Branch Davidian building outside of Waco TX. 81 people died.

April 19, 1995 was the day that Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people with his bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Tea Party folks are making plans for a gun-toting gathering on April 19, 2010.

Villagers, we need to bring this nonsense to an end. Do you agree?

Wear a White Ribbon in Solidarity with Zainab Salbi

Soulclap to the Save Darfur folks for telling us about Zainab Salbi, a dynamic leader, author, advocate and entrepreneur. Zainab devotes her life to establishing economic security and leadership training for women in post-conflict societies.

It is obvious that Zainab believes in the concept of living your truth or standing up for what you believe in, no matter how controversial or inconvenient - which was the foundation of the White Ribbon Campaign. Nearly two decades ago, a group of men gathered together to declare that they would never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women. In over 50 countries, men and women led public education campaigns to speak up for the protection of women and girls - many of them uniting under that powerful symbol of a white ribbon.

Villagers ... we can no long remain silent. Wear a white ribbon in solidarity with Zainab Salbi, the women of Sudan, and all those who wear the white ribbon to declare their commitment to stopping violence against women.

Women of Farchana Camp (video)

Soulclap to Save Darfur folks for pointing us to the Women of Farchana Camp in Eastern Chad, all of whom fled the violence in Darfur. The Farchana Manifesto was written by displaced Darfuri women and given to a Physician for Human Rights team in June of 2008. These women - who have lost so much due to the conflict in Darfur - demand freedom and equality not only for themselves, but for women all around the world.



I encourage all villagers to read The Farchana Manifesto and share it with your friends and family over this holiday season. We hope that you will read their words and be inspired to make their dream a reality.

Am I Not Human? Stop Violence Against Women in the Congo

Our blog participates in the 'Am I Not Human?' blogging campaign on the 27th of each month. This month we want to raise awareness and urge action to end the devastating violence toward women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Amnesty International is partnering with the ENOUGH campaign and others in the fight to stop violence against women in the DRC.

I encourage all villagers to take action.

• Sign the petition to protect women in eastern Congo
  
• Read more about the Raise Hope for Congo campaign

What say u?

45 People Are Shot and Killed Daily in America

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-Il) focused on urban violence recently. He shared some stats that blew me away when I saw them:

---

More Americans are killed in America than American soldiers killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The Department of Justice reports that, on average, 45 people are shot and killed daily in America. Annually, there are 16,000-17,000 gun deaths in America.

In contrast, the total number of American casualties in Iraq, over the entire span of the war (5 years), is about 4,155 and for Afghanistan, it's at least 500. The combined total of casualties for Iraq and Afghanistan is less than 5,000 since both wars began.

---

Rep. Rush is sponsoring The Communities in Action Neighborhood Defense and Opportunity (CAN DO) bill in congress. This is an attempt to provide a comprehensive, community-oriented approach to address the issue of gun violence, especially as it affects our youth. The object is to accurately frame the issue of gun violence as a matter of public safety, rather than as a Second Amendment issue or strictly a gun control issue, while also addressing the root causes of the violence.

45 deaths every dayum day of the year!

That is an impact not just on the 45 people each day that stopped breathing ... it impacts on the 45 killers. It is impossible to take another life and not have it affect your soul ... not to mention your freedom if you are caught and convicted.

What is the lost opportunity in our community as a result of this urban violence? Did we lose a future doctor? a future scientist? a future Nobel Prize winner? a future father or mother?

Villagers, as the election comes to a conclusion it may be time to look at other ways that we can make a difference.
What is your thought about urban violence? Does it impact your community?

Lester Street Massacre Leaves Four Adults and Two Toddlers Dead in Memphis

Police found nine people (four adults and five children) inside 722 Lester Street in Memphis earlier this week. Only three of the children were alive. The father of the five children was 29-year old Cecil Dotson. He was one of four adults and two toddlers murdered in the home.

Memphis Police discovered the bodies of Cecil Dotson (shown in photo), Hollis Seals, Marissa Williams, Shindri Roberson, and two young boys at the house on Monday, March 3, 2008. This wasn't a simple killing like we see on television. These killers were sadistic. The children were killed and cut-up and the parents were forced to watch.

These were horrific murders. One of the victims, Shindri Roberson, was shot twice in her kneecaps and then suffocated. One of the toddlers died with a knife stuck in its skull and all of the fingers were cut off another child. [SOURCE].

Another victim, Marissa Williams, filed a restraining order against Cecil Dotson in 2005. Despite the order of protection, it appears that Marissa Williams lived with Dotson and their children at the Lester Street house. The two of them were dysfunctional. The police came to their home twice last month for violations of the restraining order.

A few weeks ago a police report filed showing Cecil Dotson and his 33-year old brother, Jesse, getting into an argument. According to the incident report, Jessie tried to take his brother's leather coat. When Cecil told him to give it back, Jessie pulled a gun.

Jesse Dotson is not a good guy. He was released from prison last year after serving 13-years in prison on a second degree murder charge. While in prison officials say he was disciplined 29-times. The incidents include hurling verbal threats at employees. He's also accused of shanking an inmate. Investigators say they believe it was gang related ... perhaps the MS-13 gang? We shared information on the MS-13 gang with you in our earlier discussion of the Jamiel Shaw murder. Sources now say that the Lester Street massacre may be result of drug incident involving the MS-13 gang and Cecil Dotson. [SOURCE]

Officials at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center released a statement today regarding the children who survived the Lester Street attack. "The three children who were victims of the Lester Street incident remain in protective custody at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. With the Memphis Police Department, we continue to ensure that these children are never alone and are receiving the care they need. The security of our patients is our top priority, today and every day.

Are you hearing about this horrific crime on the mainstream media (MSM) in your area?

Could MS-13 Be Involved in Jamiel Shaw's Murder?

Villagers, we live in dangerous times. Hillary Clinton is not a monster. But, we have some true monsters in our communities. We reported earlier this week about the senseless murder of 15-year old Jamiel Shaw. He attended my alma mater, LA High School. Our high school colors are blue & white. Could his death be at the hands of the MS-13 gang?

Jamiel Shaw's nine year old brother asked his father, Jamiel Shaw Sr., "Are they going to kill me too?" What type of world do we live in when a 9-year old is worrying about being shot to death?

"I don't see it as black and brown. I see it as a gang problem," said Jamiel's father. "I don't want anybody to think this is a racial thing."

Jamiel Shaw Sr. may be right. Today, I learned about MS-13. I must live in a bubble. I never heard of this crew until today. Yet, this gang is in 33 states and has over 10,000 members. The FBI states that it is the fastest-growing and most violent criminal organization in the nation.




The gang colors? Blue & White after the colors of the El Salvadoran flag. Makes me wonder about the blue & white colors worn by the LA High Roman football player gunned down for no reason. Could MS-13 be the ones responsible for the death of young Jamiel Shaw?

High Schooler Jamiel Shaw Killed While Army Mom in Iraq

We heard the drumbeats from Black Political Thought about some bad news. A young brother from my high school alma mater, Los Angeles High School, was shot and killed in random gang violence. Jamiel Shaw, 17, was shot multiple times on a sidewalk a few yards from his home after he didn't respond when two men pulled up in a car and asked him "Where you from?" — code for which gang did he belong to. He was not a gang member, so he couldn't answer the question. Two Latino men in a white compact sedan apparently decide that Jamiel's life wasn't worth more than the cost of a few bullets because he wasn't wearing a red or a blue hoodie. Authorities are calling the shooting a random, unprovoked gang attack.

This story struck me as wrong on so many levels.

1. Jamiel was the Southern League's most valuable player last football season. Stanford University and Rutgers University were both in touch with him about possible scholarships.
2. Jamiel's mother, Army Sgt. Anita Shaw, served on her second tour of duty in Iraq when she learned about the shooting. Can you begin to imagine what her emotions are like as she makes the journey from Iraq to southern California to bury her 17-year old son? "She called crying, saying, 'Tell me it's not my son,' " said Jamiel's aunt, Althea Shaw. "She was so proud. She felt he had made it through the hard times. She still called him her baby, even though he was taller than her."
3. Jamiel's father said he heard the shots outside. "They killed him while his mother is in Iraq fighting, dodging bullets, and she gets a phone call to say her son is on the streets of L.A., dead. For what?" His son's ultimate goal was to be a sports agent.

Villagers, how many more of our young men must we lose? I have a 8-year old son. He loves playing football. He has some great friends. Will our society value his life and his worth? I'm sure that Jamiel's parents were dreaming big dreams about their little man. And then the unthinkable happened.

How do we protect our children from this type of danger? In any case, the prayers of the ancestors are with Anita and Jamiel Shaw Sr. as they bury their child. If anyone learns anything more about this case ... please let us know.

Books or Bullets: The Choice is Ours

Drumbeats from Blackonomics pointed us to the Books or Bullets blog. Here I discovered a program that I encourage all Villagers to consider. Do you believe that we are experiencing not a generation gap but an information gap and we will work towards raising the consciousness of the Black community, especially our youth. We have talked about ending Black-on-Black violence ... but, are we willing to take steps to stop youth violence and replace bullets with books?

We understand that during slavery, Black people were not allowed to read and we are still suffering from that legacy today. Later, Black schools were separate and unequal giving Black children an inferior education. Even today, Black children are taught a Euro-centric education that downplays the contributions of African people. This coupled with an entertainment industry that promotes and glamorizes ignorance is the reason that our youth are in their current condition. Since information about Black history has been stolen and information about current events has been hidden, the Books or Bullets Movement says "Stick em up!"

The program suggested for Villager consideration is as follows:


The Program

1. We must return to the "each one teach one principle."
2. We must develop study groups in communities across the country that will meet regularly to discuss Black history and how it applies to current events.
3. We must aggressively develop a more informed Black community by any means necessary.

How you can help?

1. Make a point to buy at "least" one book a month to give to a young person.
2. Clean out your closets and donate your old books dealing with Black history/issues to the Books or Bullets Movement.
3. Always keep information in your posession that you can pass on to a young person, whether it be a book, CD, DVD or a news clip.
4. Develop a syllabus of reading material that you can give to others either hand to hand or via email.
5. Use http://www.booksorbullets.com/ for an information clearing house to post news stories, book reviews and announcements about current events.
6. Encourage radio DJs to become involved by featuring at least a weekly segment discussing a book that gives the historical basis for current events.
7. Encourage barbershops, beauty salons and other places where our people gather to have a small library of conscious reading material.

Villagers, are you interested in following up on this program? If so, you can get more information by phone (919.451-8283) or email (info@nowarningshotsfired.com) .

Jay-Z is a Punk

We heard the drumbeats from UltravioletUnderground about this video clip with a nationally known celebrity.

Villagers, does it appear that Jay-Z is pimp-slapping a young girl (pony-tail and all)? What could cause him to do something like this to a young girl in front of his posse? Any why didn't any of them come to her defense? Villagers, what say u?

Wear Red on October 31 * Stop Violence Against Women

Villagers recognize that violence against women is sadly, not a new phenomenon in our country or in the world, however, in the last year women of color have experienced brutal forms of violence, torture, rape and injustice which have gone unnoticed, received little to no media coverage, or a limited community response. Electronic Village joins other progressive bloggers that want to stand up to violence against women!

• Be bold, be brave, be red. Wear red on October 31, 2007.


• Take Your Red to the Streets! Know of a location where violence occurred against a woman of color? Have a public location where you feel women of color are often ignored? Make violence against women of color visible by decorating the space in red.


• Rally! Gather your friends, family, and community to rally.


• Check out the Document the Silence website for the litany we’re asking participants to read together on October 31st.

Would you like to publically announce your support for this effort to denounce violence against women?

Nothing Good Happens After 3:00 AM

It is rough to be a Blackman in Georgia. Michael Vick. Genarlow Wilson. Ron Pettaway. Turns out that DeKalb County (GA) police had a dozen fatal shootings in 2006 and Atlanta officers shot an elderly woman to death during a botched police raid on her home. It seems that the police in that state don't understand the concept of positive community-police relations.

It happened again a few days ago. A 22 year old Savannah man was shot and killed by a police officer. Savannah Chatham Police said Patrolman Kevin McKoon shot David Willis early Saturday morning when Willis tried to run him over during a traffic stop. Family members and witnesses dispute that claim, saying it was impossible for Willis' sedan to move at the time because it was blocked by other vehicles.

My understanding is that Willis' 5-month-old daughter, Davasha, was in the car at the time of the shooting. How this police officer could feel threatened while a 5-month old baby was in the car is beyond imagination.

Willis's mother said she had to learn what happened to her son from his friends. Now, she's demanding answers. "I would love to see the man who shot down my child and ask him, why?" she said. "Give me some answers. Why did he shoot him? Why I couldn't see my child? Why I couldn't touch my child?"

Willis said she should have learned what happened from police, not her son's friends once they were released from police questioning. The family said they had to call police themselves, then wait for someone to speak with them.

"I'm angry and I want some answers," said Cynthia Willis.

Savannah Chatham Police are calling the shooting, "unfortunate, but lawful." Patrolman Kevin McKoon is on paid leave, which is standard police procedure, while detectives, the George Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney's office investigate.

"They place no value on Black life," said Yusef Shabazz, who led a vigil of 200 community supporters, as he referred to white people and police. When a white life is taken on the streets," he said, the public is outraged. "When a Black life is taken, there are no tears."

I understand that Rev. Sharpton will be in Savannah on Thursday evening at a rally being called by a local church in support of the Willis family.

Villagers, here is an observation that I can share with you. Nothing good can happen for a brother out in the streets after 3:00 am. If you haven't found your companion for the evening by closing time ... then just go home alone.

• This young brother in Savannah (with his 5-month old child?) was shot at 3:30am.
• Chicago Bears linebacker crashed his $350k luxury car off the road at 3:15am.
• Houston Rockets guard involved in a knife fight at 3:00am.

Brothers ... just go home! Start a blog! Do something to keep from ruining (or losing) your life.

National Day of Protest Against Gun Violence

In 2004, guns murdered:

• 5 people in New Zealand
• 37 people in Sweden
• 56 people in Australia
• 73 people in England and Wales
• 184 people in Canada
• 11,344 in the United States

Black Weblog Award finalist Field Negro blogs on the high rate of murders in Philadelphia and the orphans of violence. Here in Cincinnati the gun violence is so endemic that the mayor promotes an 'out of the crossfire' program. Personally, I have never owned a handgun. To my knowledge, my Dad never owned one either. However, a gun was involved in my brother's death. So, I understand the need to stop the violence enabled by having guns so readily available in our lives.

In response to rising violence Rev. Jesse Jackson has called for a national day of protest against illegal guns. Activists from Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Million Mom March Chapters, ProtestEasyGuns, and other local gun-violence prevention organizations will be participating in events in more than 20 cities across America on August 28. The August 28 rallies will focus the public and push leaders at all levels of government to take action against the illegal gun market and to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.
Cities with activities on the 28th include:

• a rally at a park in Newark near the school where the recent shootings took place
• a protest at a gun store in Maryland that is responsible for the most crime guns found in Washington, D.C.
• Dallas: a march down Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and rally at a local church
• Denver: a silence vigil to protest recent shootings
• Duluth, Minn.: a bell-ringing for gun violence victims at city hall
• Ewing, N.J.: a kick-off BBQ for Operation Ceasefire
• Houston: a “freeway blog” over a busy highway
• Minneapolis: an anti-violence coalition breakfast and Protest Easy Guns lie-in
• Philadelphia: Protest Easy Guns lie-in and community forum
• Phoenix: a candlelight vigil at the Arizona state capitol
• San Diego: community forum on illegal guns
• and Protest Easy Guns Lie-Ins in Seattle, Raleigh, Philadelphia, Portland (Maine), Minneapolis, St. Paul, Richmond (Calif.), and Springfield (Ill.)

Nationwide, there will be candlelight vigils, memorial bell-ringing ceremonies, marches, rallies, press conferences, and “lie-ins” in which 32 people lie down to represent the 32 people murdered with guns every day in America. Rev. Jackson called for these protests to take place on August 28 – the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic March on Washington – to demand action against the gun violence plaguing our cities.

I encourage all Villagers that are able to support this National Day of Protest Against Gun Violence.

Kill Black on Black Crime

Do you remember a visibly shaken Rodney King saying, "Can we all get along?" on the third day of the 1992 Los Angeles riots? Judging from a report released by the Justice Department it is evident that we haven't figured out how to live together yet. The report, entitled Black Victims of Violent Crime, documents a four-year plateau in the rate of violent victimization among Blacks, starting in 2001, after nearly a decade of decline. It offers no reasons for the trend. Some of the key findings in the report:

• Blacks made up only about 13 percent of the U.S. population, however, they were the victims of 49 percent of all homicides
• Between 2001-2005, violent crime rates for Blacks were higher than for whites, Asians and Hispanics.
• One quarter of violence against Blacks was committed by people under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Violence against Blacks is overwhelmingly intraracial -- about 80 percent of non-fatal assaults and 93 of murders were Black-on-Black.
• Violence against whites is overwhelmingly intraracial -- Eighty-five percent of white murder victims were slain by other whites.

An AfroSpear blogger, Field Negro is concerned enough about the number of murders in his hometown that he is tracking them on his blog. There is actually a website called Kill Black on Black Crime that strives to prevent violence by strengthening and empowering families, communities, and neighborhoods by encouraging community pride and involvement. The African American Political Pundit thinks it may be time for AfroSpear members to increase the conversation about Black on Black crime.

Villagers, we have work to do. Perhaps we can begin to work towards solutions on this issue by taking Maya Angelou's simple pledge to rescue our young people:

"Young women, young men of color, we add our voices to the voices of your ancestors who speak to you over ancient seas and across impossible mountain tops.

Come up from the gloom of national neglect, you have already been paid for. Come out of the shadow of irrational prejudice, you owe no racial debt to history. The blood of our bodies and the prayers of our souls have brought you a future free from shame and bright beyond the telling of it.

We pledge ourselves and our resources to seek for you clean and well furnished schools, safe and non-threatening streets, employment which makes use of your talents, but does not degrade your dignity.

You are the best we have. You are ALL we have. You are what we have become.

We pledge you our whole hearts from this day forward."

Well Villagers ... what do you think about the Justice Department report or the other issues shown above?

Unarmed Blackman Killed by Police

4/20/07 - Updated information for those able to attend the march or funeral services.


This has been a violent week. Hundreds died in Iraq. Hundreds more died in Darfur. 32 were killed on the Virginia Tech campus. As such, you may not have heard. Another unarmed Blackman was shot in the back and killed by the police. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting of two brothers by Fulton County police officers that left one dead and the other seriously injured outside a nightclub early Sunday. Neither of the brothers were armed.

Fulton and state officers are looking for evidence and talking to people who witnessed the shooting of Roy Pettaway III, 27, and his brother, Ron Pettaway, 26. The incident happened on a sidewalk outside the Frozen Palace nightclub in south Fulton County. Shots were fired after the brothers allegedly got into an altercation with the two officers who arrived to break up a fight at the nightclub. I'm fairly certain that barroom fights don't carry a death penalty in America. Yet, one brother is dead and the other had a bullet removed by doctors in the emergency room.

The officers, each of whom has fewer than two years on the force, are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Their names have not been released.

Services will be held for Ron on Saturday at Liveoak Baptist Church, 2601 Flat Shoals Road, in College Park on what would have been his 27th birthday. The Rev. Markel Hutchins, a civil rights activist and Pettaway family spokesman, said there will be a march from the Frozen Palace to the church for the funeral. The funeral itself will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 10:00 am, on what would have been Ron's 27th birthday.

We encourage any villagers who live in the Atlanta area, or anywhere in Georgia, to attend the march. A special section in Liveoak's sanctuary will be set aside for families of other metro Atlantans allegedly victimized by police, Hutchins said. Hutchins and the victims' relatives have been vocal in their outrage over the shooting that they have described as nothing short of murder and a violation of the brothers' civil rights.

You can learn more about this situation from other AfroSpear bloggers here, here and here. Also, I see where the Pettaway family posted relevant news and video on the case.

I live in Cincinnati, OH. We had similar issues with our police department that came to a head in April 2001 when the 15th Black man was killed by the local police. The Cincinnati uprising made international news. The city is still dealing with the real and perceived problems in community-police relations.

I understand that DeKalb police had a dozen fatal shootings in 2006 and Atlanta officers shot an elderly woman to death during a botched police raid on her home. My hope is that folks will learn from the past and deal proactively with this situation in Fulton County before it blows up into a similiar situation.

Yesterday, activists asked the governor to get engaged in the issue.

It was a violent week. However, we cannot afford to let the shooting of unarmed Blackmen be swept under the rug. The African American Online Network, known as the AfroSpear, must ask the major newspapers and mass media, why they have not come out with editorials condemning this shooting. What justification can there be for not speaking out?